Aligning Action on Climate and Biodiversity to Achieve a Nature-Positive and Healthy Ocean & Coastal Zone

Thursday 21 November

Driving the day?

On Oceans and Coastal Zones Day, recognition of the potential of ocean-based solutions within national climate strategies is increasing. Finance is starting to flow in the right direction - but at a far slower rate than the accelerating loss of marine biodiversity.

In response, the Ocean Breakthroughs provide a holistic, science-based playbook for ocean-based climate action that could reduce the ‘emissions gap ’ by up to 35% on a 1.5°C pathway in 2050.

Money moving to coral reefs since COP 28:?

• USD 225 million was mobilized for the Coral Reef Breakthrough by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) , to provide catalytic support to over 60 reef-positive businesses and financing facilities.?
• GFCR Equity Fund has newly announced an investment of up to $50 million in Brazil-based innovator Agrion Agrisolutions - to address key agricultural threats facing the local coastal reefs ecosystems.
• Race to Resilience partner, The Ocean Risk Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) has activated USD 45.5 million of investment into innovative finance and insurance solutions from over 100 members. ORRAA’s investments in 50 projects for climate-vulnerable coastal communities in the Global South, have helped over 174,000 people become more resilient to ocean and coastal risk, including 78,000 women.?
• At the UN Global Biodiversity Conference (COP 16), New Zealand committed an additional USD 10 million for the Global Fund for Coral Reefs.?

Coastal and marine nature solutions bolstering NDCs:

Recognition of ocean-based solutions in global policy has been steadily increasing, as of 2023, 61 countries had included coastal and marine nature-based solutions for mitigation and adaptation in their NDCs.

COP 28 drove significant recognition of the potential to link climate and biodiversity action - to boost economic opportunities and human and planetary health, while reducing adaptation costs. Today, H.E. Razan Al Mubarak is seeking to inspire global actors to integrate biodiversity, climate action, and nature-based solutions - in all sectors of society.

The size of the Ocean prize: A third of the way to 1.5 C:

Full implementation of ocean-based solutions - ready for action now - could reduce the ‘emissions gap’ by up to 35% on a 1.5°C pathway in 2050.

Launched at COP 28, 2023, the Ocean Breakthroughs are transformative pathways covering five key ocean sectors - marine conservation, shipping, aquatic food, ocean renewable energy and coastal tourism. Signatories to the Breakthroughs set science-based targets to advance mitigation, adaptation, and collaboration between Parties and non-State actors.

The Ocean Renewable Energy Breakthrough Target has the 2030 ambition to install at least 380 GW of offshore capacity - while establishing targets and enabling measures for net positive biodiversity outcomes, and advocating to mobilize $10bn in concessional finance for developing economies to reach that goal. Advancing the Ocean Renewable Energy Breakthrough Target, the Global Offshore Wind Alliance, founded by Denmark, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), has committed to supporting its country members, including offshore wind, in their NDCs, by 2025.

Notably, 2023 was the second-best year on record for the global offshore wind industry, with a total of 75 GW of operational global offshore wind capacity by the year end.?

Completing the Ocean Breakthroughs - transforming coastal tourism by 2030:

The 2030 Coastal Tourism Breakthrough launches today. By 2030, USD 30bn per year is being invested to support halving emissions of coastal tourism; and additional investments are made to build the resilience of local communities, as well as to recover and protect ecosystems to sustainably manage tourism in island and coastal destinations most vulnerable to climate change.

This is the 5th and final Ocean Breakthrough to be launched - and represents a game-changing opportunity for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

• Achieving the Breakthrough targets could transform low and middle-income coastal economies.?
• Tourism contributes 9% of global GDP,?employs one in 10 people, and generates 8% of global GHG emissions, with coastal tourism comprising 50% of the sector and remaining a rapidly growing ocean economy pillar.?

The Coastal Tourism Breakthrough is building on - and supporting the work of several global organizations, including World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) , the High-Level Panel on Sustainable Ocean Economy and the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism .?

Charting a new course: launch of? The 2030 Marine Biodiversity and Ocean Health Breakthrough and Roadmap:?

Today, seven partners, including private sector shipping coalitions, NGOs, and regional ocean initiatives, launch The 2030 Marine Biodiversity and Ocean Health Breakthrough and Roadmap . This Breakthrough provides a roadmap for businesses and national governments to reduce maritime impacts on the ocean while transitioning to a just, equitable, and resilient zero-emission shipping sector.??

An example of good practice is the World Shipping Council’s ‘Whale Chart ’ - a voyage planning tool used by companies like MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM.?

Led by the Sustainable Shipping Initiative and Equal Routes, the Breakthrough is supported by the UN Foundation, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, and the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action.

Seagrass solutions: A game-changer for climate and biodiversity action:?

Efforts have advanced to protect seagrass, one of the planet’s most underappreciated ecosystems - capturing up to 35 times more carbon than rainforests per unit area:

• Three countries have endorsed the 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough since COP 28 - others are considering participation.?The 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough offers a roadmap for governments to synchronize and propel their global pledges with grassroots and regional endeavours.
• In 2024, the importance of seagrass ecosystems was further recognized at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (COP 14 CMS) , with a resolution to protect, conserve and restore global seagrass by 2030.

The Breakthrough, led by the UN Convention on Migratory Species (UN-CMS), is a framework for safeguarding 16m hectares of seagrass by 2030, mobilizing at least USD 12bn to protect and restore global seagrass ecosystems.?

30 nations strong: The Mangrove Breakthrough powers global climate action:?

• The UAE’s updated NDC highlights mangroves, salt marshes, seagrass meadows, and algal mats as critical for carbon storage and coastal resilience against sea level rise.
• Following its 2023 endorsement, the UAE adopted a mangroves goal in its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to protect 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.

Since COP 28, the Breakthrough has advanced significantly - launching NDC and Finance Task Forces, establishing an Advisory Council, and creating a Secretariat. The NDC Task Force, led by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Global Mangrove Alliance, is transforming endorsements into action through mangrove-positive national climate and biodiversity goals.

Aquatic Food Breakthrough

The following reports were launched under the Aquatic Food Breakthrough:

• The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the report Navigating the Waters of the UNFCCC, A guide for the Aquatic Food Sector .
• The NDC- Fish Guidelines 2024 , developed by Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, WorldFish, FAO, Beijier Institute, CARE & EDF was launched.
• The report: Climate Change Risks to Marine Ecosystems and Fisheries was launched under the Breakthrough.

70 Global Voices Call for Nature in the NCQG:

A global group of 70 NGOs, business coalitions, individual companies, Indigenous Peoples organizations and influential individuals have issued a statement calling for Parties to recognize and finance nature within the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).

COP 29 Ocean & Coastal Zones announcements:?

Outside of the Breakthroughs, COP 29 has rallied a raft of nature-positive initiatives:

• The COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Action in Tourism promises to accelerate climate action in the tourism sector and to commit endorsers to sustainable tourism.
• Integrating Responsible Offshore Wind into NDCs - A guidance tool launched by Ocean Conservancy and the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA). The NDC Guidance Tool was launched at COP 29 with participation from IRENA, World Bank, UNDP, Global Wind EnergyCouncil, Denmark, Germany, Fiji and UAE.
• COP29 Baku Ocean Declaration from the Ocean Pavilion, urges all countries, relevant organizations, and companies to prioritize ocean-based actions that advance shared priorities across the climate, biodiversity, and desertification COPs. This includes fostering international collaboration and scaling up public and private funding.
• Policy Brief: ‘Unpacking Ocean Finance For Climate Action: A Roadmap For The United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change ’ launched by The Ocean & Climate Platform and ORRA, with the support of partners.
• Nature4Climate Coalition launched ‘Preparing to Enhance the Inclusion of Nature in 2025 NDCs ’ helping stakeholders to integrate nature’s key role in addressing loss and damage, and the role of nature-based solutions, including coastal and marine ecosystems.
• ‘Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition for Cities and Regions,’ an initiative chaired by the City of Nice and coordinated by the Ocean & Climate Platform with support from the governments of France and Costa Rica.

Impact Makers?

In the face of the climate crisis, solutions are emerging faster than ever, tackling every aspect of the challenge. The new High-Level Champions’ series, Impact Makers , in collaboration with The Edges of Earth, shines a spotlight on those leading this change from the ground up - the Ocean Breakthroughs in action!?

Explore today’s Impact Makers leading the way on ocean, gender equality, and nature-based solutions:

GATOR HALPERN - Scaling coral restoration to combat ocean warming.

ANNIKA DEGEN - Bridging gender and climate action through global conversations.

NEAL SPACKMAN - Reversing ecosystem degradation and building regenerative economies.

RAJESH SHAH - Championing community-driven climate resilience through the Great Green Wall of Gujarat.

RUDY ORTEGA JR. - Building climate resilience for the Fernande?o Tataviam Band of Mission Indians.

KHALED MOHAMED NOBY - Balancing renewable energy expansion with biodiversity conservation in Egypt.

WOMEN & CLIMATE CHANGE SPOTLIGHT?

As part of an exploration into how inclusivity accelerates climate action, our first feature shines a spotlight on the pivotal role women play in advancing equitable and effective solutions.?

Featuring insights from the High-Level Champions, Indigenous leaders, business pioneers, and academics, this piece delves into how diverse perspectives are catalytic to the race to a fairer, healthier and more resilient world.

READ MORE HERE

Call for inputs: COP29 climate action announcements

The UNFCCC secretariat is tracking climate action announcements made at COP 29, including the launch of:?

• climate initiatives;
• pledges and declarations;?
• publications and reports;
• any other climate action announcements.?

This information will be used to inform the Global Climate Action Portal (GCAP), formally known as Non-State Actor Zone for Climate Action (NAZCA), in particular,? its COP 29 event page. Please find the online form to submit your inputs here or via the QR code below.

For further information please visit: https://climateaction.unfccc.int/Events/COP29 ).

About the High-Level Champions

About the High-Level Champions: The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions drive ambitious climate action by connecting the work of national governments with the many voluntary and collaborative actions and initiatives from non-Party stakeholders such as cities, regions, businesses, investors and civil society. This includes delivering the five-year plan of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, in collaboration with the UNFCCC secretariat and other partners, using the tools and frameworks included? in the? 2030 Climate Solutions . H.E. Razan Al Mubarak and Ms. Nigar Arpadarai serve as the current High-Level Champions of the COP 28 Presidency and the COP 29 Presidency, respectively.